Safety: School Policy

The Health and Safety at Work Act and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 require the University to formulate a policy with respect to the management of health and safety and to bring this policy to the attention of all those working in the University. The University requires the School to formulate its own policy and to bring this to the attention of its staff and others working in the School.

It is the School's policy to be committed to the University's Health and Safety Policy and to act positively to promote safe working practice and safety awareness so as to prevent injury and ill-health to personnel.

Health and safety is a standing agendum item for meetings of the School's Management Board and for School Teaching & Learning Committee Meetings. There is a Faculty Safety Committee which reviews policy, implementation and incidents on a regular basis.

As Head of School, I am responsible for all aspects of the health and safety of personnel in the School, from the formulation, through to implementation and development, of school policy. I encourage all members of the School to be actively involved in establishing, observing and pursuing safe working practices.

Day-to-day monitoring of the School Safety Policy is carried out by the Safety Officer and Assistant Safety Officers, the Chemical Hazards Advisor, the Biological and Radiation Supervisors, the Laser and UV Protection Officers, the Display Screen Equipment Assessor and the Manual Handling Coordinator (See List of Safety Personnel at end of Manual). These people are also available to help and advise; they should be consulted by any staff, student or visitor who has questions or doubts about health and safety matters.

A Health and Safety Notice Board is maintained near the Faraday Room in the Bedson Building and gives information about Safety Personnel, notes about specific items of current concern and other safety related matters.

It is the School of Chemistry's policy to:

  • Provide the necessary resources (financial, physical and personnel) to minimise risks. This includes the provision of advice on health and safety.
  • Implement and develop procedures and codes of safe working practice.
  • Keep up-to-date with changes in health and safety practice by liaising with the University Safety Officer and professional bodies, by the use of information retrieval systems and through the attendance at training sessions, seminars and conferences by its safety officers and staff.
  • Disseminate information on health and safety via electronic mail messages, notices, etc. as appropriate.
  • Provide training in safe working methods.
  • Maintain an appropriate framework for consultation on effective measures for the continual development and promotion of health and safety.

Safety Policy is reviewed on an annual basis for each edition of this document.

Head of School September, 2009